Difference Between Migraine and Stroke

February 2022 · 5 minute read

Migraine and Stroke are remarkably similar to each other and cause a variety of events when they occur. Both these conditions share some significant similarities in terms of symptoms. They cause vision changes, vertigo, speech difficulty, and both conditions can make a person feel terrible, causes pain and hypertension. Even though there are numerous similarities between Migraines and Stroke, they differ significantly. 

Migraine vs Stroke 

The main difference between migraine and stroke is that the former is a temporary event, while the latter is a permanent one. Migraines typically don’t last long. They are short-term events and do not cause any brain damage or any chronic damage to the body. On the other hand, Strokes generally last long. They are permanent events, and the lack of blood supply causes permanent brain damage. 

A migraine is a short-term event, and the most common sign of a migraine is recurrent attacks of headache, along with other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, smell, or touch. A throbbing or pulsating pain usually occurs around your eye or temple on one side of your head. However, migraines do not cause any permanent damage to the brain. They are temporary events. 

Strokes are long-term events. A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of your brain is obstructed. Without enough oxygen, the brain’s cells begin to die. There are two possible reasons for this. Blood vessels in the brain are either blocked by blood clots or rupture, causing bleeding in and around the brain. This leads to permanent brain damage. Therefore, unlike migraines, these are permanent events. 

Comparison Table Between Migraine and Stroke 

  Parameters of Comparison   Migraine  Stroke 
 Event    Temporary event  Permanent event. 
 Damage caused   No brain damage is caused.  Permanent brain damage is caused due to the lack of blood supply to the brain.  
 Trigger   Migraines are usually associated with some kind of trigger.   Not normally associated with everyday triggers. 
 Medical emergency   A chronic medical issue that can occur several times in a month.   A serious medical emergency. 
 Effect   A migraine is a short-term event. Hence, it does not result in serious events like death.   Strokes are long-term events that can lead to a person’s death. 

What is Migraine? 

A migraine is a short-term event, and the most common sign of a migraine is recurrent attacks of headache, along with other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, smell, or touch. It is a chronic medical issue that can occur several times a month. Migraines tend to cause severe pain, but it does not have any long-term effects.  

When you have your first migraine, you usually do not experience neurological deficits such as weakness, loss of sensation, or vision loss. Nevertheless, there is an exception to this rule, as migraines that occur for the first time in a person’s life can, at times, cause neurological deficits. They also tend to be associated with everyday triggers like lack of sleep, food, hormonal changes, and stress.  

Even though migraines can cause a lot of pain, they do not lead to any serious effects like death. Migraines typically don’t last long, and they do not cause any brain damage or any chronic damage to the body. Migraines are, as such, a common and treatable condition associated with both childhood and adolescence. 

What is Stroke? 

Strokes are long-term events. Symptoms of a stroke tend to appear suddenly. Strokes are more likely to cause what is known as “negative” symptoms, such as losing sight in one eye or losing feeling in one hand or foot. It is a critical medical emergency and can cause long-term effects.  

Individuals over 60 with risk factors including heart problems, hypertension, blood disorders, or high cholesterol are far more likely to suffer from strokes.  A stroke typically occurs when blood flow to part of your brain is obstructed. There are two possible reasons for blood circulation issues: the blood vessels in the brain are either blocked by blood clots or rupture, causing bleeding in and around the brain. This leads to permanent brain damage.   

Strokes are severe to a level where they can even lead to the death of a person. They are permanent events. They are not associated with everyday triggers, and the risk increases with age. Therefore, stroke is most definitely a treatable condition. However, the threat from strokes is much more than the risk associated with migraines. 

Main Differences Between Migraine and Stroke 

  • Migraines are typically a temporary event, and do not cause any brain damage. On the other hand, Stroke is most definitely a permanent event, and can cause permanent brain damage. 
  • Migraines tend to cause severe pain, but it does not have any long-term effects. On the other hand, Strokes can only occur once and cause long-term effects. 
  • Migraines are a chronic medical issue that can occur several times a month. On the other hand, Strokes are critical medical emergencies that can even lead to the death of a person. 
  • Migraines are generally caused by everyday triggers. On the other hand, Strokes are not associated with everyday triggers. 
  • Migraines are not always risky. On the other hand, Strokes most definitely hold more risk than Migraines. 
  • Conclusion 

    Migraine and Stroke are remarkably similar to each other and cause a variety of events when they occur. Both these conditions share some significant similarities in terms of symptoms. They cause vision changes, vertigo, speech difficulty, and both conditions can make a person feel terrible, causes pain and hypertension. Even though there are numerous similarities between Migraines and Stroke, they differ significantly. 

    Migraine is a chronic medical issue that can occur several times a month. Migraines tend to cause severe pain, but it does not have any long-term effects. They typically don’t last long, and they do not cause any brain damage or any chronic damage to the body. Migraines are, as such, a common and treatable condition associated with both childhood and adolescence. 

    Stroke is a critical medical emergency and can cause long-term effects. Strokes are severe to a level where they can even lead to the death of a person. They are permanent events. They are not associated with everyday triggers, and the risk increases with age. Therefore, the threat from strokes is much more than the risk associated with migraines. 

    References 

  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1474442211702666 
  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1474442205701642 
  • ncG1vNJzZmiZo6Cur8XDop2fnaKau6SxjZympmeUnrOnsdGepZydXZeytcPEnqVmpZmcv6K1zZ5kmqaUYsC1vs6knGg%3D